CASA 163/14 - Instructions — GNSS primary means navigation (B787-8 aircraft)

Administered by Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Legislation au F2014L01060 Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Explanatory Statement

Civil Aviation Regulations 1988

Instructions — GNSS primary means navigation (B787-8 aircraft)

 

Legislation

Section 98 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (the Act) provides that the Governor-General may make regulations for the Act and in relation to the safety of air navigation.

 

Under subregulation 179A (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (CAR 1988), CASA may issue instructions in relation to Instrument Flight Rules (I.F.R.), specifying the method by which an aircraft is to be navigated and how a positive position fix is to be obtained.

 

Instructions

Current accepted procedures for the use of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) allow the use of satellite navigation for primary means navigation under I.F.R. In addition, modern aircraft with the required level of navigation performance (RNP) have the capability to fly non-precision approaches using the RNP capabilities of the aircraft without using ground-based navigation aids.

 

This instrument applies to Boeing 787-8 aircraft, being aircraft that have the required technology. The instrument is required to allow them to be introduced into service by the operator to whom the instructions apply and used in accordance with their capabilities. The instrument sets out the conditions subject to which non-precision instrument approaches to aerodromes may be conducted by the operator using the aircraft’s navigation systems.

 

These conditions include the following. The aircraft must be capable of the required navigation performance for the relevant operations. The aircraft must be operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The procedure to be flown by the flight crew must be extracted from an approved navigation database. The operator must ensure that flight crew are appropriately trained in the minimum equipment required for dispatch, commencement of the approach, the approach procedures and the reasons to discontinue the approach.

 

The training syllabus for training of flight crew must be included in the operator’s approved training and checking manual.

 

The operator’s policy, procedures and limitations on the use of GNSS as the primary means of navigation must be included in the operator’s operations manual.

 

This instrument repeals and replaces instrument CASA 220/13. The only change is the omission of a single condition allowing the entry of particular ground-based navigation aids in the ATC notification field regardless of what onboard equipment is fitted.

 

Legislative Instruments Act

Under subregulation 179A (3A) of CAR 1988, an I.F.R. flight instruction that is not in the form of a Civil Aviation Order is a disallowable instrument for section 46A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

 

Under subparagraph 6 (d) (i) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 (the LIA), an instrument is a legislative instrument for section 5 of the LIA if it is declared to be a disallowable instrument under legislation in force before the commencement of the LIA. The instrument of instructions is, therefore, a legislative instrument and it is subject to tabling and disallowance in the Parliament under sections 38 and 42 of the LIA.

 

Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights

A Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights is at Attachment 1.

 

Consultation

Consultation under section 17 of the LIA has not been undertaken. The instrument applies only to a single operator and there was no need for general consultation. It allows recently introduced and more accurate navigation equipment to be used that was not provided for in the current CAR 1988.

 

It reissues a previous instrument, CASA 220/13, with the omission of only 1 condition that related to the completion of the flight planning form.

 

Consultation is also not necessary because the instrument is consistent with previous instruments issued to Australian airlines to allow them to reduce their dependence on ground-based navigation systems. It applies substantially the same rules and conditions that have already been accepted and put into practice.

 

The use of this equipment provides an increase in safety as it improves the reliability of the navigation solutions provided to the aircraft crew. Airlines are satisfied with the effect of instructions of this sort.

 

Similar instruments would be issued to any Australian airline that meets the requirements outlined in the relevant aircraft flight manual and is assessed by CASA as suitable to use overlay approach procedures when conducting non-precision approaches.

 

Making and commencement

The instrument has been made by a delegate of CASA relying on the power of delegation under subregulation 11.260 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.

 

The instrument commences on the day of registration and expires at the end of June 2017, as if it had been repealed by another instrument.

 

[Instrument number CASA 163/14]

Attachment 1

Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights

Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the
Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011

Instructions — GNSS primary means navigation (B7878 aircraft)

This legislative instrument is compatible with the human rights and freedoms
recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the
Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

Overview of the legislative instrument

The purpose of this legislative instrument is to issue instructions for the conduct of specified non-precision approach procedures by Jetstar Airways Pty Ltd in Boeing 787-8 aircraft. These aircraft have a navigation system that is capable of meeting the relevant navigation performance requirements.

 

Human rights implications

This legislative instrument does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.

 

Conclusion

This legislative instrument is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues.

 

Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1988, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, are instrumental in ensuring the safety of air navigation within Australian airspace. The 1988 Regulations were established under Section 98 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which empowers the Governor-General to make regulations for the Act and to address safety concerns related to air navigation. This legislative framework allows the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue instructions that specify the methods for navigating aircraft under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). The 2014 instrument, F2014L01060, provides specific instructions for Boeing 787-8 aircraft, allowing them to utilise Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) for primary navigation during IFR operations. This instrument replaces an earlier instruction, CASA 220/13, with minor modifications, primarily focusing on enhancing the safety and reliability of navigation systems. The policy objective is to integrate advanced navigation technologies into operational procedures, thereby improving flight safety and reducing dependency on ground-based navigation aids.

Scope and Application

This instrument, F2014L01060, pertains to the application of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 with respect to the use of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) as a primary means of navigation for Boeing 787-8 aircraft under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). Specifically, it applies to operators of these aircraft who wish to conduct non-precision instrument approaches to aerodromes using the aircraft's navigation systems. The instrument mandates that the aircraft must meet the required navigation performance and be operated according to the manufacturer's instructions, while ensuring that the flight crew are appropriately trained. Additionally, operators must incorporate their GNSS navigation policies, procedures, and limitations into their operations manuals. This instrument is a legislative instrument under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 and is subject to disallowance in Parliament. It has been issued to allow the use of more accurate navigation equipment not previously covered in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988, thereby enhancing safety and operational efficiency. The instrument is tailored to Jetstar Airways Pty Ltd and is effective from the date of registration until June 2017, replacing a previous instrument with minor modifications.

Key Provisions

The primary sections of this legislation, found within subregulation 179A(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (CAR 1988), empower the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue instructions regarding Instrument Flight Rules (I.F.R.), specifically detailing the navigation methods and methods for obtaining a positive position fix. These instructions are crucial for ensuring the safety and efficiency of air navigation, particularly for modern aircraft like the Boeing 787-8, which are equipped with advanced Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology. The legislation imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. For instance, it mandates that the Boeing 787-8 aircraft must be capable of the required navigation performance for relevant operations, and they must be operated in strict adherence to the manufacturer's instructions. Furthermore, the flight crew must follow procedures extracted from an approved navigation database. Operators are also required to ensure that flight crew members receive appropriate training, covering the minimum equipment needed for dispatch, commencement of the approach, the approach procedures themselves, and the criteria for discontinuing the approach. This training must be detailed in the operator's approved training and checking manual. Additionally, the operator's policy, procedures, and limitations on using GNSS as the primary means of navigation must be included in the operations manual. In terms of compliance and enforcement, the legislation stipulates potential consequences for non-compliance. While the specific offences and penalties are not detailed within the provided text, it is clear that breaches of these regulations could lead to serious repercussions. Given that the instrument is a legislative instrument under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, it is subject to tabling and disallowance in the Parliament. This means that any significant non-compliance could potentially be subject to scrutiny and intervention by the legislative body. Additionally, as the instrument is consistent with previous instruments aimed at enhancing safety and reliability in air navigation, failure to comply with these instructions could result in safety risks, which might be addressed through regulatory penalties or other enforcement actions by CASA. Lastly, the legislation includes a Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights, affirming that the instrument does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms recognised or declared in the international human rights instruments. This ensures that the instrument aligns with human rights standards, thereby mitigating any potential human rights concerns that might arise from its implementation.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.